FAQs at the start of your studies 

The start of the lecture period and all relevant dates for the semester can be found here.

The winter semester begins on 1 October and ends on 31 March of the following year. The summer semester runs from 1 April to 30 September. You can find the dates of the lecture periods and holidays here. 

Before lectures and seminars start, there are a few events you shouldn’t miss. For some degree programmes, there are preparatory mathematics courses. For all degree programmes, there are orientation events. You can find all the dates for the year of study, including lecture periods, here. 

There is a special orientation week for international students. Detailed information regarding the date and form of the orientation week will be communicated to all admitted students by the Welcome Services via email.

This ‘Good to know’ guide helps first-semester students.

At the beginning of your studies, it’s best to get your bearings with a campus map. The location of a room is shown here. Of course, there are helpful students all over campus that you can ask for directions. You will see: You’ll soon feel at home on our campus. 

You can find all the information about your user name and how to use it on the User Name Information Sheet. 

Your Campus Card has many functions. It is your student ID, library card, cafeteria card and much more. You can find all the information you need about the Campus Card here. 

The online services of the Student Administration Office offer you the possibility to print out the following documents yourself via cmlife: 

• Certificate of Enrolment (Studienbescheinigung)
• Certificate of Study (Studiennachweis)
• BaföG Confirmation (BAföG-Bescheinigung)
• Notification of Elections for University Elections
• Certificate of the Semester Fee to be Paid

With your enrolment documents, you will receive the email address that has been set up for you according to the pattern username@uni-bayreuth.de. All notifications from the library and the courses you have registered for via cmlife or e-learning will be sent to this address. You can access your emails via webmail at this internet address. Please check your inbox regularly.

Since April 2014, the University of Bayreuth has been part of the DFN network EDUROAM. You can find all important information and instructions for setting up Wi-Fi on your device here.

Cmlife is the central service platform of the University of Bayreuth for students. You can log in with your user name (bt-Kennung) and your password to register for courses and exams, create your schedule or print certificates. A help page (in German) for the use of cmlife can be found here. For general questions about cmlife, the Campus Management department will be glad to help you.

E-learning allows lecturers to provide course materials and organize courses. Wiki and forum functions are integrated into the platform, allowing discussions with all course participants, e.g., coordinating presentation topics or answering questions about assignments. Many lecturers also use e-learning to publish important exam information. It is advisable to check at the beginning of the semester which courses are available via e-learning. Lecturers will usually let you know during the first class. You can log in using your regular user credentials. 

When you start studying, you will probably come across many terms that you have never heard before. Some of them are related to the creation of your academic plan. Did you know that the abbreviation “c.t.” after the time of a course means “cum tempore”, which means that the course starts fifteen minutes later than stated? Don’t worry, you’ll soon be fluent in University language. An introductory guide is available in this glossary (in German). 

This ‘Good to know’ guide also helps first-semester students.

Unlike at grammar school, you usually don’t get a set schedule when you start your studies. It is created using various sources of information and requires some planning. 

1. Study planning guidelines: You will find out what content is relevant to your degree programme and how it is provided (lectures, tutorials, seminars, etc.) in your degree programme’s examination regulations and module handbook (both available on the degree programme’s website). Use these documents to prepare your schedule. The module handbook provides further information, such as whether a module is offered in the winter and/or summer semester, whether there are admission requirements, and the examination format. Some module handbooks also contain recommendations for the course of your studies, with the suggested assignment of modules for each semester. These recommendations are an excellent guide that you should make use of.

2. Offered Courses: In your study portal cmlife, you will find the courses offered in the current semester. Sometimes several seminars or exercises are offered as alternatives under one module name, so that you can choose a convenient time or a topic that interests you the most. However, some modules consist of several seminars that you must attend. Be sure to check the module handbook for details! Click on the small clock icon to see the days of the week and times.

3. Matching requirements and courses offered: Now compare your requirements with the available courses and make your (provisional) schedule. Lectures usually have an unlimited number of places, while seminars often have a maximum number of participants and may require registration. Registration for events can be done through cmlife. You must always register for module exams, but registration deadlines for exams usually start later in the lecture period and are announced by the lecturer. For language courses, you should read the information provided by the Language Centre at the beginning of the semester. Don’t overload yourself! In addition to attending classes, you’ll need time to prepare for and review exams, prepare presentations and study for exams and much more. Typical study plans are based on around 30 ECTS credits per semester. If you can achieve this, you’ll complete your studies within the standard period of study.

4. Don’t worry! It’s perfectly normal not to be able to prepare your schedule before lectures start. At the beginning of the semester, you’ll receive valuable orientation help, especially at the introductory event for your degree programme (see events for specific dates). If you have previously gathered information from the above-mentioned examination regulations, the module handbook and cmlife, you can ask specific questions at the event that will also help your fellow students. As you progress through your degree programme, there will often be additional information events, for example on choosing an emphasis/specialization or studying abroad.

During your studies you may have many questions. Many of them are answered in our FAQs during your studies. Take a look. In addition, the University of Bayreuth offers a variety of support options and services, which we have compiled for you here. 

You can pay at the cafeteria with your UBT Campus Card. The daily menu is displayed on the screen at the entrance. The menu is also available online. 

You can find tips on the search for an apartment here. 

Here are some tips on how to settle in and make friends, . There are countless student initiatives and opportunities to get involved in. There’s probably something for you! Come visit us here. 

There is an entire UNIverse of services available to you. All members of staff are happy to help you. And if you’re ever unsure where to direct your questions, the best place to go is to Student Advising.